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Melissa's Reviews > Enchantment
Enchantment
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I almost really loved this book. However, for me it suffers from the same problem that other Orson Scott Card books do...the characters (not the Ender's series but his other books). The plot of this book is truly brilliant. It is very creative and fun and imaginative. It is a great story but the characters...oh, help us. They just aren't all that great. I mean they say the things they should say and do the things they should do but I think the author is lacking in his ability to tap into the subtle and amazing things that make us human. He is especially bad with the characterization of women. This book is no different. I just never really liked Ivan or Katerina and had a hard time believing they could be in love or even real people for that matter because they lack depth. Also, this book had a few less dignified moments. They are just dumb. It's like those Disney movies that add in burps or the letting of gas to appeal to the nine year old boys. Really, I don't even think grown-up men find that stuff funny unless they are talking about when they were young and did it to someone else.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
April 1, 2008
–
Finished Reading
April 9, 2008
– Shelved
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by
Dacia
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 11, 2011 08:53AM
Wow... I can't believe you said that. The thing that makes most Card novels for me IS the characters and how real they feel...
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Yes! I just re-read this book, and can't tell you how many times I read it in high school and loved it so much. But re-reading it ten years later and I can totally see some stale patches of writing and places where the narrator speaks out of character for the tone of the book. Same great story, just not as wonderful. Re-reading this made me worried about re-reading Ender's Game, another book/series that I loved. Hope it's not the same let down.
I let the book entertain me and enjoyed it rightly so. This is the first book I've read from this author so maybe that makes the difference but I was impressed. I see no reason in trying to dispute the characters because what gives them life is our imaginations and the fact that you can't change them. Just like you can't change real people.
Perhaps Card portage women well, perhaps not. I am not the right judge. But I think Card's characters ARE very much human. In Pathfinder and it's sequel, and alsoEnder's Game and the affiliated books, the children and adults seem to be on the same intelligence level. Maybe that is what's bothering you. But remember, the children are SUPPOSED to be smart. And just because Ivan and his parents undertake deep conversations doesn't mean some of their humanity is stripped from them. There are some smart people out there, believe it or not, Card has just chosen to depict those choice persons. Just a thought.
I completely agree with your review. You put into words exactly how I felt reading this book. I too almost really liked this book.
I loved the book. To me it was a fairytale and the characters played well within a fairytale. The charactes were not deeply nuanced nor did they need to be. I was swept away with the story. That the very young couple loved each other as they grew into seemed to fit for me the nature of this highly imaginative story.
